Lynn Burkhead - Arctic front brings mixed results for local hunters

Saturday

Nov 16, 2013 at 5:45 AM

Normally, a frigid Arctic air mass is just what the doctor ordered.

Normally, a frigid Arctic air mass is just what the doctor ordered.

But after an unusually strong November cold front this week that sent low temperatures across Texomaland spiraling down into the 20s and even the upper teens, the duck and buck reports were a bit on the "mixed results" side of the ledger.

Take the ducks, for instance.

Yes, there were some new birds that moved into the Texoma area — after the front — from points further north in the Central Flyway.

But those same stiff northerly breezes also pushed OUT some of the birds that had arrived late last week and over the weekend.

"I scouted this morning and what I found is that the birds are widely scattered," said Bullzeye Outdoors guide Erik Burns (www.bullzeyeoutfitters.com; 214-673-1680) on Thursday.

"There were lots of birds that moved out with this front," he added.

"But with the reports that I’m hearing from north of here (in Oklahoma and Kansas), there should be some new birds trickling in this weekend."

And with another strong front due in early next week, the local duck numbers will hopefully improve as Thanksgiving Day approaches.

In the meantime, Burns says to get out, scout for ducks, and go hunting.

"We’re scouting hard and seeing some good results," he said. "Our hunts are going great and we’ve taken some limits."

What about deer hunting?

Things have been a bit ho-hum on that front too, at least according to one local bowhunter that I’ve talked to this week.

"I’ve heard talk of some chasing going on but I still think it’s a little early for the really big boys to move regularly," said this Grayson County hunter who wishes to remain anonymous.

"I am really hoping this freeze this week killed the vegetation because the deer are simply not coming to corn at all right now."

He’s right about that — acorns, sprouting wheat, and the last of this fall’s browse have range conditions in good shape.

Meaning that local white tails aren’t having to roam much to find a woodsy "Happy Meal."

Combined with the gathering full moon, that could mean slower than expected hunting during this weekend’s Segment B archery deer hunt at Hagerman National Wildlife Refuge.

But with the peak of the rut approaching, I’d still expect to see a big buck or two hit the ground this weekend.

Especially for hunters who sit on their stands all day long this weekend.

While that can be hard to do, the reward can be huge for those hunters willing to do so.

In fact, one of the biggest bucks I’ve ever seen at Hagerman — a mid-180s typical — was on his feet cruising on a mild mid-November day.

When did I see him? During the midday hours.

Burns believes that the next few days could be really good for local bowhunters.

"In fact, I heard that there was a really good deer — maybe a 170-class buck — that was killed on Wednesday by one our store customers hunting near Whitewright," he said.

"In any case, the rut should be in full swing just about anytime."

He’ll get no argument from me.

Which is why yours truly plans to be in a stand this weekend, hoping for a close encounter of the big antlered kind.

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